The third U.S. Navy LCS is currently 50 percent done, and should launch before the end of the year

Lockheed
Martin said the third littoral
combat ship (LCS) for the U.S. Navy, the Fort Worth, has reached
its halfway point in construction. The company said the Fort Worth
LCS already has main and auxiliary engines installed and tested, with
all necessary modules currently in construction.

"Lockheed
Martin and its teammates have demonstrated
strong performance in constructing LCS 3,” said Joe North,
Lockheed LCS program manager, in a statement. "This
performance proves our ability to deliver a low-risk solution that
will meet the Navy’s need for a class of affordable and survivable
warships.”

Lockheed also mentioned USS Fort Worth is on
schedule and on budget, and should be finished before the end of
2010. The U.S. Navy expects to receive the LCS sometime in
2012, assuming there are no unexpected construction
delays.

Lockheed Martin is leading the team behind the
third LCS, with Marinette Marine Corporation building the ship, while
architect company Gibbs & Cox also works on the project.
Marinette Marine helped manufacture the USS Freedom a couple of years
ago, and is expected to help the Navy with future projects as
well.

LCS Freedom, which was first commissioned in 2008,
has been
operational in 18 months and has completed one deployment.
After months of delay and confusion, the Navy tested its LCS
Independence in late 2009, with an average speed of 44 knots during
testing.

Navy officials said they expect to have 55 LCS' -- many designed for shallow waters -- but could decrease or increase
the total number. Military officials and lawmakers will discuss the
matter further in years to come.